From the development of the electric telephone by Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson to Voice-Over-Internet Protocol technology, the telephone has been a vital part of global society. Communicating by phone has become as vital as eating. This paper chronicles the invention of the telephone by Bell and Watson, the development of the cellular phone by Bell Labs engineers, the innovative technology of the Apple iPhone and Internet telephony.
This paper covers the negative and positive aspects of social networks, texting and email. The paper discusses whether using communication devices augments or replaces in-person social interactions. For some, social networking, texting and email can drive a wedge in relationships because they can be addictive. However, these means of communication are essential for family and friends who live far apart. For example, social networking, texting and emailing can harm a relationship when your mate would rather be using one of those media than to talking to you. On the other hand, these media are valuable to spouses of deployed military personnel.
People use communication technology such as camera phones, satellites and Internet search engines every day as personal and business information tools. Internet users can type a name into any search engine and get information such as a phone number, address and work history. Users of camera phones can take pictures of unsuspecting strangers; free internet programs such as Google Earth display images of private homes. This paper discusses whether communication technology is intrusive to those who wish to keep certain information confidential.
This paper examines whether communication technology can get any better. Satellites, wireless phones and digital conferencing have taken communication technology to a high level. Where does the industry go from here? The paper also can offer a few new ideas for technology and communication devices and systems.